Board hears push to keep counselors

March 21, 2006|ERIN MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Eighth-grader Sarah Christman had one request Monday evening. "The students of John Young Middle School ask board members to reconsider the reduction of the counseling staff," Christman said during a School City of Mishawaka budget work session. "We feel these educators offer services that can't be replaced by other staff members." Christman presented a petition signed by more than 300 students protesting the proposed elimination of one counselor at the middle school. Superintendent Steven Mills also proposed cutting one counselor at Mishawaka High School. Community members, teachers and parents voiced their concerns over the proposal, which also includes cutting five elementary and three high school teachers, some principal interns, the high school's attendance officer and media clerk, as well as a number of other support and administrative positions. High school counseling program director Don Cronk explained to board members the impact of laying off one of the school's five counselors. He said each counselor would work with about 430 students, about 100 more students per counselor than this year, while helping students understand and prepare schedules to meet increasingly difficult and often-changing graduation requirements. "A budget is a moral document," Cronk said. "The budget you approve will be a reflection of what and who you value." Some teachers and parents asked board members to evaluate the success of some of the corporation's programs and consider cutting those programs instead of classroom teachers. Teachers and parents involved in those programs spoke in their defense. "We grow when we work together and teach each other what we know," literacy coach Jackie VanderHeyden said, explaining how the program helps teachers. "Literacy coaches provide the opportunity for professional growth throughout the corporation." Board members said they appreciated the feedback. They plan to vote on the budget recommendations at their March 28 meeting at Hums Elementary School. Board member Michael Wojtysiak said he didn't want to lay off the counselors or eliminate five elementary teaching jobs. He said he was worried about the impact on test scores of adding one more student to each elementary school classroom. "With (cuts) we did a year ago, are we already seeing the results of it?" Wojtysiak said, after noting a decline in some elementary test scores. "I'm very concerned." Board member Charles Trippel said he didn't like making decisions that would cut jobs, but added that the board has to deal with a likely deficit. "We'll work through this as a community," Trippel said. "Hopefully we'll not lose sight that our number one goal is the education of children." Staff writer Erin Miller: emiller@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6553